Member Reviews

Fast paced, gripping and tense this book kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put it down. A real page turner

Was this review helpful?

A creepy, gripping and visceral story that is so timely and poignant. I really enjoyed this one and cannot wait to talk about it with my peers!

Was this review helpful?

In 2009 Riona is working in a cafe in Ensley before heading to university and she can’t wait to leave the town behind. She thinks it’s a dull place as nothing ever happens which is a case of be careful what you wish for. Her life and that of several others are changed when one woman is murdered, another is in a coma and a third survives an attack. The killer is being hunted but remains elusive, all that is known is that someone on each occasion has been seen wearing a high-vis jacket. One evening later that summer, Riona and friends Stacey and Erika are at the quarry when think they hear something but dismiss it. Fast forward to 2021 all three friends are back in Ensley and several troubling things happen including glimpses of someone wearing a high-vis jacket. Is the Ensley Killer back?

The novel starts really strongly with very good dynamics between key characters. There are ripples of suspicion, off notes and strange vibes that are intriguing. In places there are chills and tension and many characters are burying secrets, lying and presenting a different public face to when they are alone. The plot is busy, there’s plenty going on to keep you reading on especially as the threat levels rise and thus so does the fear factor. There are several characters you cast your eyes over as their behaviour is odd to say the least.

However, in the second half I find it becomes overly dramatic for my taste yet some dialogue seems disproportionally casual. The ending is far fetched in my opinion and so a book which starts so promisingly ends with some disappointment. What a shame as I’m really engaged and thoroughly enjoying the first half or so.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Joffre Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Enjoyed it and would give the book 3.5 stars. From the start, I wasn't sure who the Ensley Killer was going to be. My suspicions were on three people- Ryan, Mia and Tom. The twins were creepy, Mia definitely more than Ryan, and were living with an abusive stepfather for so many years. Tom seemed to just show up and have an instant attraction to Riona, plus she caught him in several lies. Why did he always leave his phone in the car? Especially when he was expecting a call from his mom? I wouldn't have minded a little bit more of a backstory on Charlotte and her children. Not sure why Riona didn't immediately go to the police or at least her aunt when she got the letter and then the pictures of her on the website. Bernie was a retired Detective and could help her. Why didn't Riona go to Erika's apartment right away? If they were best friends and business partners, shouldn't Riona check on her? It seemed strange that Erika would only text and not call. I would have been freaked out enough to stay with someone. Is it normal to see so many people wearing yellow hi-vis jackets? I hated the relationship between Riona and her sister Alene. Alene made it extremely difficult to like her. Did Alene really expect her sister to not got to college and stay home to help her raise her baby? Alene help so much resentment and anger toward Riona. Loved Wanda.

Definitely recommend the book. It was a great mystery/thriller that kept me guessing until the end. Loved the ending and when the truth was finally revealed about everything. Some people are just evil and can't be saved. Tom should have never freed the monster. Loved the characters, story and writing style. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Joffe Books, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe books for the opportunity to read this advanced ready copy (digital) prior to publication.
I haven’t read anything by Amanda Brittany before and I enjoyed her writing style, the storyline and the element of creepiness in this story. Psychological thrillers seem to be having their moment and this one firmly fit the mould. The main character Riona was a likeable, reasonable person, but few others on the story were! I did guess one of the main twists and there were a lot of overlapping storylines and character back stories that meant there was some confusion as a reader at times. This was a gripping, read in one sitting book that I would recommend to anyone looking for an absorbing thriller with small town secrets/stalker vibes!

Was this review helpful?

I thought that the overall storyline was intriguing, but the writing felt a little underdeveloped. I enjoy a fast paced thriller, but this one was almost too fast paced in that it jumped over key plot points.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book, it pulled me and kept my attention, it's suspenseful and has lots of twists and turns, many of which surprised me there is also more than enough steam, keep a long cool drink to hand.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Joffe for an ARC of #IMWATCHINGYOU. This book kept my guessing right to the end, theories and proposals about the person behind the scenes flipping like a switch on a wall. I was hooked immediately and thoroughly enjoyed the read.

Was this review helpful?

Riona lives in a small town that is generally boring. She is getting ready to go to college and start a big life away from her birthplace.

Women begin to disappear, they all look like. The only clue to this serial killer is that they wear a yellow vest. Riona and her two friends see a light on in an old boathouse but dismiss it as nothing.

The story jumps to many years later and the three women are still in the town. Riona never left and the women have remained life-long friend.

It begins to look like the serial killer from years ago is back. Riona gets a super creepy note that makes her think she is going to be the next victim.

The book is a spooky one. I wasn't always engaged and skimmed through part of it. It is an interesting plot though.

Was this review helpful?

This was a little slow to start and see how the characters connected. As the story goes on it gets really good! There were twists that I did not see coming and I was trying to figure things out in my head as I was reading and when all was revealed I was shocked. A great read!

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for my ARC!

Was this review helpful?

Who is watching you? This atmospheric thriller is positively creepy but will absolutely leave you drawn into the book from the beginning.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
This was a decent read with a few surprises at the end and several interesting characters. It's a psychological thriller that was nice to read on a rainy day, it kept me engaged.
Recommended for an easy, entertaining quick read.

Was this review helpful?

Good book! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, serial killers and a great who done it! There were many crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and had me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this new psychological thriller by Amanda Brittany. Filled with lies, deceit and murder. Lots of tension and action. Great character development that kept me turning pages.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

Was this review helpful?